49 



On the labels of Polyps, Madrepores and others in the Museum, the writing was in a great 

 part destroyed. Dr. Aube, in Paris, says that the black part of the backs of bound books 

 was nearly destroyed, probably by Lepisma. 



Mr. Samuel Henshaw, Assistant of the Society of Natural History in Boston, 

 enclosed purposely living Lepisma with soft paper, part of a newspaper, in a glass jar, 

 and ascertained that the insects had eaten large holes in the paper. 



The well-known antiquary, Mr. Qaaritch, in London, had complained, 1870, of the 

 ravages done to books ; and Mr. Lewis, in London, after careful examination, stated that 

 by eating parts of the bindings the books were caused to fall to pieces ; yet he considered 

 it impossible for Lepisma to bore holes in the books, which were probably made by 

 Anobium. Prof. Packard, in his Guide, reports of silk and silken tapestry eaten by 

 Lepisma, which also devour the paste, making holes in the leaves of books. Also Mr. 

 Home, in London, alluded to the damages done to silk garments in India by Lepisma. 

 The insect evidently attacks the silk on account of the stiffening matter in it, but never- 

 theless makes holes in the fabric. Finally, Mr. Adkin showed a species of Lepisma which 

 damaged account books kept in the iron safe of an office in London. 



After all these reliable facts, there is of course no doubt that Lepisma, when left 

 undisturbed, may become very obnoxious. The question, Why has that not been observed 

 long ago 1 may be answered by the well known " I awoke one morning and found myself 

 famous ! " I think there is a very simple explanation. There are so many rogues who 

 work in the same way, that the swiftest one to disappear is often easily overlooked 

 Many times I have been told by ladies that their silk dresses, always black ones, had 

 been destroyed by carpet bugs, and have always answered that the carpet bugs only 

 attack wool. Indeed, I confess that I have only recently learned that these aristocratic 

 desires belong to the Silver-fish. 



If we tabulate all the facts, we find directly that all damages, except those to paper 

 and its combinations, have been inflicted on silks, clothing and muslin curtains which 

 were invariably starched or finished with some stiffening size, making them more easily 

 eaten or eroded. Secondly, the backs of books have been more or less seriously injured. 

 But just here paste had been used in quantity. The gold lettering of the backs is com- 

 monly done by putting the gold on paste and burning the hot brass letters into the back. 

 I have been assured that in one case only the gold of the lettering had disappeared. 

 There is no wonder that silken and paper tapestry has been eaten ; but it is to be hoped 

 that the industry now common of making paper hangings solely of arsenic may induce 

 Lepisma to emigrate to more hospitable quarters. 



That labels in collections have been destroyed, is observed here, in France and in New 

 South Wales. All those labels were starched. Prints have been destroyed in England ; 

 letters, when lying loose or in heaps, and Government records in England, in New South 

 Wales and in Boston. I think many gentlemen present will find the most rascally 

 instance of destruction is the making erasures in account books in the safe. 



After all these facts, there is no doubt that maps, engravings, collections of photo- 

 graphs, herbariums, even label catalogues, are in evident danger. But if we look more 

 closely at the injuries reported, we find directly that all such papers, when pressed firmly 

 together, were not reached by Lepisma, and in this way a large number of accidents may 

 be avoided. Engravings and maps, which would suffer if pressed too hard, will be 

 perfectly safe in simple pasteboard boxes, provided that they are made to close perfectly, 

 so that it is impossible for Lepisma to find an entrance. Insect powder sprinkled in the 

 nooks and corners where Lepisma is often observed — in Cambridge, behind the kitchen 

 stove or range — kills directly all reached by the powder, and I should recommend the 

 same for silk dresses or the closets and drawers in which they are stored. Concerning 

 valuable engravings, I would cover the backs of those framed with common paper fastened 

 on with a paste mixed with insect powder or tincture. I consider, therefore, Lepisma as 

 not dangerous v)hen proper care is taken to prevent the danger. 



The most dangerous enemies to papers and books are the White Ants, the Termites, 

 because they destroy everything and avoid the daylight when they work. As I had 

 before this the pleasure of delivering a communication on this subject, I will give only 

 some additional facts which have come to my knowledge during late years. The com- 



